Large-scale hunting of spiny-tailed lizard suspected in Banni

Rajkot: The Kutch forest department has ordered a probe into allegation of large-scale hunting of spiny-tailed lizard, a species found in the semi-arid plains of Banni region of the district.
The spiny-tailed lizard are listed under schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Popularly known as ‘Sandha/Sandho’ the reptile is known to occur in arid zones of northwestern India including Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
The probe was ordered after a local researcher, associated with a voluntary organisation lodged a complaint with the forest department claiming that he had found over 250 burrows dug in Banni grassland region, allegedly for the purpose of hunting the lizards.
“We have received the complaint and we have begun investigation. We have got the video of empty burrows, but are yet to get proof of hunting,” said Pravinsinh Vihol, deputy conservator of forest, Kutch (east) forest division.
Sources suspect, a bigger poaching racket operating in the region.
The complainant in the case Ritesh Pokar of NGO Sahajeevan said that the spiny-tailed lizards were forced to come out from their burrow and hunted in Navlakha area of Banni in Bhuj taluka.
“This is the area where grassland ends and desert begins. The lizards are found in large numbers here,” said Pokar. “I came her for my research and found these borrows suggesting large-scale hunting of lizards. So I informed the forest department.”
According to forest officials, a major threat to these lizard species is illegal trade and killing to substitute protein through meat and oil extracted from its skin and tail. Locals also consider it to be an aphrodisiac and having other medicinal properties.